Fire service reveals cause of Victoria Square shopping centre evacuation

Firefighters attended the shopping centre on Victoria Street in Belfast City Centre.

Several fire appliances were seen parked at the back of the centre.

Police said the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) made them aware of an incident but police were not required to respond and believe it was “nothing major”.

A staff member at Victoria Square explained that the issue was specifically linked to the House of Fraser store.

A spokesperson for NIFRS said: “At 2.10pm today the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service attended a minor incident at Victoria Square shopping centre.

“The nature of the incident was determined as an accidental electrical fault in an escalator control panel.

“NIFRS isolated the electric supply and used a thermal imagery camera to inspect and ensure the system was safe.

“NIFRS left the scene with Victoria Square management who have tasked an engineer to inspect and repair as necessary.

“NIFRS left the scene at 3pm.”

The fire service has dealt with the issue and the centre has now reopened as normal.

Weekend News Catch Up